Alex Vasile has an iGaming background with over five years working in Support and Account / VIP management. He is also an experienced writer covering topics related to gambling legislation and jurisdictions, casino bonuses and wagering requirements and casino games rules.
, | Updated: October 31, 2025
To one degree or another, gambling is illegal in almost all Asian countries, yet it remains one of the region’s most popular pastimes. Because of concerns about addiction, nearly all local governments prohibit or restrict the industry. This is also true in South Korea, which has completely banned online gambling, while land-based gambling is restricted almost exclusively to foreigners residing in the country.
Despite this rigid legislative environment, it is still possible for players from South Korea to take advantage of some lucrative casino bonuses. Later in this article, we will explain how this is possible, leaving it up to you to decide whether it is worth the risk.
Best Casinos in South Korea
As already noted, South Korea issues no licenses or regulations for online casino games. Several offshore operators gladly welcome players from the country. However, these players must decide for themselves whether to play online, as the game providers are not responsible for any legal issues that may arise.
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18+ and of legal age to gamble. First deposit only. $20 Min deposit. Max bonus 1 BTC or currency equivalent. First deposit free spins are added as a set of 50 per day for 2 days, amounting to 100 free spins in total. The first 50 free spins are added immediately after a successful activation of the bonus. The next 50 free spins are added in 24 hours. Winnings obtained with the help of free spins have a x40 wagering requirement. All deposit bonuses must be wagered at least 40 times before the player can withdraw the winnings received through them. General Bonus Terms & Conditions must be observed.
This offer is only available for first time depositors. Min deposit is £10. 50 Free Spins on Book of Dead. Spin Value: £0.10. After your first deposit you may claim your 30 Extra Free Spins by visiting the Kicker Section. No min withdrawal. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. This offer is only available for specific players that have been selected by PlayOJO. If you have arrived on this page not via the designated offer via PlayOJO you will not be eligible for the offer. OJO’s Rewards and Game Play policy applies.
First Deposit Only. Min. deposit: €10, max. Bonus €100. Game: Book of Dead, Spin Value: €0.10. WR of 30x Deposit + Bonus amount and 60x Free Spin winnings amount (only Slots count) within 30 days. Max bet is 10% (min €0.10) of the free spin winnings and bonus amount or €5 (lowest amount applies). Free Spins must be used before deposited funds. Deposit/Welcome Bonus can only be claimed once every 72 hours across all Casinos. Bonus Policy applies.
New & exclusive players only. 20 min deposit. To receive the bonus wager 20 x (deposit amount) within 21 days. To withdraw bonus & related wins, wager 50 x (bonus amount) within 21 days. This offer may not be combined with any other offer. Withdrawal restrictions & full T&Cs apply.
New customers only. Opt-in required. 100% Match Bonus up to €250 on 1st deposit of €20+. Additional bonuses of up to €250 on 2nd deposit of €20+ and up to €500 on 3rd deposit of €20+. 50x bonus wagering applies as do weighting requirements. Credit Card, Debit Card & PayPal deposits only. Irregular gameplay may invalidate your bonus.
18+ New Customers only. Min deposit $20. Max bonus $5000. EXCLUSIVE: Up to 25% Rakeback on each bet! Instant, Weekly, and Monthly Rakeback. No wagering requirements. No upper limits on the Rakeback amount. The Rakeback percentage depends on the Rakeback reward level.
18+. New customers only. 30x Deposit + Bonus wagering requirement. 10 days expiration time. €5 max bet. Deposits made with Skrill and Neteller do not qualify for this promotion.
18+. New customers only. Minimum deposit €10. First deposit matched 100% up to €100 + 100 Spins on Starburst. Second deposit matched 50% up to €150 + 100 Spins on Berryburst. Third deposit matched 125% up to €250 + 100 Spins on Aloha: Cluster Pays. 35x Bonus wagering applies. Only slots contribute towards wagering requirements. Deposits made with Skrill and Neteller do not qualify. Free spins credited 20/day for 5 days.
18+ New customers only. 110% up to 1BTC 1st deposit bonus. 55% up to 1BTC 2nd deposit bonus. 50% up to 2BTC 3rd deposit bonus. 40x D+B wagering required. Each bonus is valid for 30 days.
Automatically credited upon deposit. Cancellation can be requested. First Deposit Only. Max. Bonus €100. Maximum amount of Free Spins is 25. Game: Book of Dead, Spin Value: €0.10. WR of 30x Deposit + Bonus amount and 60x Free Spin winnings amount (only Slots count) within 30 days. Max bet is 10% (min €0.10) of the free spin winnings and bonus amount or €5 (lowest amount applies). Spins must be used and/or Bonus must be claimed before using deposited funds. Deposit/Welcome Bonus can only be claimed once every 72 hours across all Casinos. *Games are subject to availability. Bonus Policy applies.
18+ New players only. Minimum deposit $10. Free spins valued at $0.10 each. 200x bonus wagering required.
Best Casino Bonuses in South Korea
South Koreans are legally prohibited from wagering on any casino game, whether online or offline. Nevertheless, online casinos are becoming increasingly popular in the country. In addition to an endless selection of slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, and other game variations, foreign-based gambling operators offer players a wide array of casino bonuses and promotional deals. Of course, not every bonus is worth claiming, so it is essential to review the terms and conditions carefully. Pay close attention to wagering requirements and any restrictions that may apply, such as maximum bet limits or excluded games.
Welcome Bonuses
No Deposit Bonuses
Game-Exclusive Promotions
Welcome Bonuses
The welcome bonus, offered by online casinos in South Korea to new players on their first deposit or first few deposits, is undoubtedly a player favorite. Although the exact amounts vary by operator, it usually consists of a deposit match bonus up to a predefined maximum, sometimes supplemented with free spins.
No Deposit Bonuses
These bonuses are fairly self-explanatory and are not very common. If you encounter a no-deposit bonus, you’ll notice that it carries high wagering requirements and an upper withdrawal limit that typically does not exceed $100. Despite these demanding conditions, players risk nothing and can even increase their bankroll, which explains the incentive’s enduring popularity.
Game-Exclusive Promotions
To promote new titles in their gaming libraries and maintain balanced engagement across all games, online casinos often run short-term promotions tied to a specific title. In most cases, these offers include free spins that must be used within a designated time frame.
Historically, wagering on native board games and sports such as janggi (similar to chess) and ssireum (a folk wrestling style) was common on the Korean Peninsula. Today, however, South Korean authorities have enacted strict gambling laws, making it difficult for citizens to take part in casino activities. Under South Korea’s Criminal Act, anyone caught engaging in betting for profit can be fined up to five million won. If an individual is deemed a habitual gambler, they may face a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to 20 million won.
Brick-and-Mortar Casinos
Online Gambling
Brick-and-Mortar Casinos
Playing slots or table games in a physical venue is almost unthinkable for South Koreans, with all but one land-based casino catering solely to tourists and long-term expatriates. The lone exception is Kangwon Casino, which is difficult to reach because it sits far north of the major cities at the base of a ski resort. Nevertheless, its annual turnover is typically equal to that of all the other establishments combined.
According to the country’s legislation, locals who are caught gambling at a tourist casino face a prison sentence. Furthermore, any citizen found gambling while abroad may be prosecuted upon their return to the country.
South Koreans are not completely deprived of betting opportunities; however, none of the permitted forms fall within the casino category. The oldest of these is horse race betting, legalized at the outset of South Korea’s legislative process. This was soon followed by betting on boat races and cycling, as well as the introduction of a national lottery. To place bets on any of these categories, Korean players must be at least 18 years old.
1Lottery
The Korea Lottery Commission determines the types and prices of lottery products, but private lottery operators are responsible for issuing and marketing them. Users can choose from the following lottery types: Online Lottery (6/45), Scratch-off Lottery, Pension Lottery, and Internet Lottery (draw & instant).
2Betting on bicycle races
Japan’s betting legislation served as the model when South Korea legalized wagering on bicycle races. The initiative aimed to promote national sports, especially among the younger generation. Notably, off-track betting is not allowed.
3Sports betting
Two legal entities provide these services: Sports Toto (pari-mutuel betting) and Sports Proto (fixed-odds betting).
Online Gambling
Engaging in online betting while in South Korea is challenging because Internet monitoring is extensive, and your connection to a chosen casino may be blocked without notice. In addition, banks routinely terminate web gaming transactions to comply with regulations. Cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, can serve as a viable alternative because they offer enhanced security and, above all, anonymity.
Despite these and other restrictive measures, laws governing online gambling are actually difficult to enforce. The rapid evolution of modern technology in recent years is a major reason for this.
One tactic local players have adopted is using a VPN service. Virtual private networks allow gamblers to mask their true location and access blocked casino websites that accept South Korean players. As a result, the risk of prosecution by the country’s law-enforcement agencies is greatly reduced. This does not make the activity legal, but it does make detection extremely difficult, if not impossible. There is still no indication that VPNs will be included in anti-gambling legislation.
Because South Korea does not have a long-standing gambling tradition, the usual casino staples receive a balanced share of attention. Virtual blackjack, roulette, poker, and slots are widely available at online casinos, and Korean players enjoy them just like players elsewhere. Each title offers its own set of advantages and features.
These incentives are designed to encourage players to visit a particular platform regularly and place more bets, so gambling operators have no reason to restrict their Korean customers in this regard. Any difficulties they encounter will likely stem from the authorities’ efforts to block online casinos accessed from South Korea.
We discuss this rule violation most often in relation to welcome offers, as they carry the highest potential profit. In short, the practice involves signing up at a gambling platform multiple times to take advantage of promotions that are intended only for new players. Requiring scanned copies of original personal documents during registration is the primary tool operators use to combat bonus abuse.
There is no single answer to this question because gamblers’ needs and habits vary widely. Our advice is to stick with the payment method you already trust. Still, examine the casino’s financial policy in advance to identify any potential transaction fees. For players in South Korea, prioritizing the anonymity of deposits and withdrawals is also wise, given the complex legal landscape.
One disadvantage of wagering from a jurisdiction where casino games are illegal is that you cannot rely on local authorities to protect your interests. Fortunately, if you open an account with a gambling operator licensed by a reputable regulatory body such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission, you should not have to worry about the safety of your funds.